The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-02-03
HOW TIE SHAH LIVES.
PERSONAL AND OFFICIAL. DETAILS
OF TUE LIFE OF PERSIA'S RULER.

United States minister 10 Persia.
The voice Of tho muczzin long
melodious chant, is heard floating over
the still air of morning from the towers
of Tcheran. At the same moment tllc
sun bursts over tho eastern plans, ah''
Furnishes tho walls Of tho capitol with Il
golden glow. On the lofty turrct OF the
palace gate Il troop Of royal trumpctcrs
halls the coming day, while III tho streets
below rings tho plebian horn which an
nounccs to the people that the public
baths arc ready for tho daily abIution.
At tho same time the camel brll; arc
heard of caravans which, after travelling
all night, arc now entering the city.
An attendant in stocking feet raises the
heavy drapery that closes tho entrance
to the apartment where Nusr cd deem
Shah is sleeping, and with bowed heat
in q low tone reminds his Majesty that it
is tho hour of prayer. \ "nroonfaccd"
maiden approaches, bearing basin and
ever of gold; she pourS scented water
over the royal hands, and another fair
attendant, scantily clad, lllo her com
panion, dries his hands with sort towel.
Both kncel at this duty, for the king is
yet on his couch, which is Il mattress
laid on the costly rugs that cover the
floor. Having accomplished the abiu-
tlOnS, which form one OF the essential
rites OF Mussulman prayer, the Shah
offers his dcvOtions on II superb prayer
rug Of silk pointed toward Mecca. When
a Mohammcdan is on II journey he car
rics compass with him, III order to find
the direction Of Mecca. The prayer is
repeated i'll Il low tone with many gcnu-
Elections, of which the chief consist OF
repeatedly falling Hat or the face, rising
to the knees, and then stnlrling and
passing both hands rcvcrcntinlly over
the face.
His morning prayer over, the Shah
passes to steam bath partially subtrr-
ranean and continuing several apart
mentS. The entire establishment is
misty with steam, and dim light per
vadcs hall paved with macilc. Ihc
walls are cncruatcd with glazed tiles Al
ranged i'll elegant ltor;l designs. The
light Sits through huIIrEc8 in tie vaultrd
ceiling, which is supported by graceful
pillars. In separate Hlcovc> are deep
tanks filled rcspt ctiTcly with hot an0
cold water. The attrul;u.tS OF the king
women whose charms Guuiiiy th"m alike
as hand maidcns and WIVES. II is need
less to say that under such circumstances
the morning batu Of the Shah 81 pvrsiu
POSSESSES attractions Of Il character a.
agreeable as they are unusual.
The daily attention given to these
baths very Likely explains in part the
marvellous p}y Sicul endurance 81 Oriental
sovCreignS, who retain their powers for
domestic duties and nittjra Of state to olu
age III climates which Eur0} cams find
encrvutinG and rNinlus.ing.
After bathing, the Shah p&1tlkc> of II
light meal Of tea or cUiI,u with bread,
and perhaps fruits. Having UINs AZ
ranged his personal wants, NuS>- cIi-Dccu
Shah passes INTO one OF lis numerous
audience chainbcrS amt receives the miu-
listers OF The Royal council or r;,'iO"t. 1t
IS composed OF the 6Gor AHi'm or Prime
Minister; the NIID Sulturh, minister OF
war, the llz!cr IlnradJc on minister Of
1orel9n affairs; the Amin Sultan, min
lister OF IhancC; tho Aioli~r-c't-Do
minister on hlHc" ana tri"&rnrha; the
Eillln-cu-DouICtl, lnlnl"tcf ul posts and
toihlhlS'T"'or OF 'Ac frtGiOu" iHhu&; the
o"1l-co-D0''lCn, niNl"t"r oi printing,
anu SoyerNl othcr hl%n H8m'&nc&, m
cluoli8 inc minister Oh arts and sciences,
W Milo iS aiSo sup fllltGioch0 OF the aracn-
"l' "l4o VIic iiI'I' OI tto mEttical depart
ineit'' I1e5' c"liGo rnS re Sln6'tiHf name OF
thnie,d h"Heo,ni,.l -NilrThnloteA or Ih5"lGHn ol
1,I I'i -" crSlon
nitG H t1 r .'iG lt,Ci!cl c"le8o OF
ln InllS' llo nus Ior ms c0iseo&V'S %GFcIm
oStlcr PtiJ E Slc1'IlS, i:l!3 ntc:luoih3 l)N 1hoio-
t'n' = l1lion pi"G'l'tEiiGr WHO ENJOY"
ii:o 10lli''ciico o! vl!c oman "hd rGaAS 10
hlh inc lc@oih@ l,3Ifel@n }orrn"i"' J>urng
recent severe lililesS the Shah called to
Ans Hm,"%nS "%S,S,"ncS i1r CociI"nc, t"iG9tea
american Il, il missionary IhySlcl"n residing
III Persia
AS 1t Is yet carly morning 1t Is evident
even c"rllrr than the Hh"h III order to
DC present at thlH morning audience.
One by one they raise the perdch or
massive cmDrolderGd porhcrc, and enter
the presence OF the dread sovereign who
holds thclr lives and fortunes i'll his fist,
and il styled the Asylum Of Che Universe
and the King OF Kings. The Latter title